Oxfordshire Reviews £4.2m Congestion Charge Investment Plans

Oxfordshire County Council is set to revisit proposals for a £4.2m investment programme linked to its temporary congestion charge, with cabinet members requesting further detail before making a final decision.

The revised plans, due to be discussed in May, include updates to the city’s park and ride offer. Among the options being considered is a £3 combined ticket, potentially available until the end of December 2026, alongside additional support for key workers such as NHS and school staff.

The temporary congestion charge was introduced while Botley Road remains closed, delaying the rollout of Oxford’s planned traffic filters. To ease disruption, free park and ride bus travel has been in place since October 2025 and is currently scheduled to run until the end of May 2026.

A range of new initiatives could be funded through the scheme. These include free weekday parking and bus travel for NHS and school staff for a nine-month period starting in June 2026, as well as the introduction of a dedicated hospital express park and ride service for a year from October 2026.

Further proposals focus on improving active travel, with investment in pedestrian crossings, cycle parking and upgrades to address gaps in existing walking and cycling routes. Additional measures under consideration include free bus travel for participants in the Connect to Work programme and a trial of discounted bus season tickets for selected communities.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said the temporary congestion charge is already delivering benefits such as reduced traffic, improved air quality and safer streets. He added that the funding provides an opportunity to explore longer-term improvements that could support future transport initiatives, including the planned traffic filters once Botley Road reopens.

Currently, park and ride users can access free bus travel for up to two adults and three children with a valid parking ticket, valid across multiple operators serving Oxford’s park and ride sites.

Final details of the investment programme will be confirmed following further cabinet discussions.